Steering gear for wheeled vehicles



Patented Nov. 2, 1943 e UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STEERING GEAR FORWHEELED VEHICLES Thomas A. Bowe, Hilbert, Wis.-` Application March 9,1942, serial No. 433,849

(ci. `28o-$3.55)

12 Claims.

jpresent types of steering gears for said imple- :ments rand vehicles,and which will eliminate whipping as between the towed and towing ve-Lhicles, minimizingside sway of the towed vehicle.

A more specific object ofthe Vinvention is to provide a.wheeled'vehclesteeringgear in which the pivot pins for the overlappinginner ends of the steering rods are mounted in a manner so as to be`extremely strong and rigid, providing very 'effective bearings, andeliminating undue wear pn the strap extensions of said steering rods.

` Stillano-ther specific objectof the invention `'is to provide, in awheeled vehicle steering gear :including av pivotal 4'steering pole,means for anchoring the bolt uponl which the pole is mounted formovements in avertical plane, said anchoring of the bolt preventing wearand strain on the surfaces of the engaging elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a wheeled vehiclesteering gear, a Vpivotal connection between the adjacent inner endportions ofthe vehicle steering pole and reach, said pivotal connectionincluding aU-shaped strap with means engaging the latter to prevent itfrom spreading when strains are imposed on it during movementsof thesteering post, said means also cooperating in the formation of a stop tolimit pivotal movements of the steering post.

`A further object of the invention is to provide, in a wheeled vehiclesteering gear, a main pivotal connection between' adjacent inner endlportions of the vehicle steering pole and reach, which connectionincludes a hardened steel pin, held against rotation, and a bearingtherefor, whereby wear on the relatively movable elements is minimized.y

A further object of the invention is to provide a wheeled vehiclesteering gear wherein the inner Vends ofthe steering rods carry`U-shaped clevices, each of which embraces and is connected to thevehicle steeringpole, said arrangement adding strength and rigidity tothe structure and mininizingtorsional strains and lost motiom A furtherobject of the invention isto provide a steering gear for wheeled trailervehicles, which isof simple construction, is strong and durable, isinexpensive to manufacture, is elicient in operation,` and is welladapted rfor the purposes described.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consistsof'theimproved steering gear for wheeled'vehicles, and `its parts andcombinations as set forth inthe claims, and all equivalents thereof.

"In the accompanying vdrawing in which the same reference charactersindicate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a plan View, `with portions in section, of the improvedsteering gear as applied to the front axle and forward end of a wheeledvehicle or implement of the trailer type, said View being indicated byline I-l in Fig. `2;

Fig. 2 is a front View of the vehicle chassis, front axle and steeringgear withthe steering pole in cross-section;

Fig. 3 is` an enlarged, detail, sectional view vtaken on line 3-3 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, detail, sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig.l; and

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional "View taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 1. i

It will be apparent that the improved steering gear is applied to thefront end structure of a Vtrailer vehicle and is directly associatedwith the vehicles wheel-carrying front axle and that the vehicleincludes a reach and a forwardly extending steering pole, the latterbeing hitched to the rear end portion of a tractor or other vehiclewhich furnishes the motive lpower and does the towing. The trailervehicle or implement to which the improved steering gear is applied hasnot been completely illustrated, the drawing disclosing only the frontend portions of the elements with which the steering gear is directlyassociated. However, the vehicle to which the invention is applied ispreferably a wheeled farm implement, wagon, or other form of trailer.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing it will appear that thesteering pole of the wheeled trailer vehicle is indicated by the numeral;l Said steering pole extends `forwardly and itsfouter end is adapted tobe` hitched to the rear end portion of a tractor (not shown), aself-propelled towing vehicle, or an animal pulled vehicle. The innerend portion of thev end of Ysaid yoke 9, which is rearwardly tapered,

extends beyond the inner end of the steering pole 8 and is positionedbetween upper and lower horizontal flanges I and II at the forward endof a wagon or vehicle reach I2. Welded or otherwise secured between theflanges I0 and II, to reinforce the same, is a U-shaped member I3. Theclosed end portion o-f the yoke 9 has rigidly secured therewithin, orformed integral therewith, a spool I4. The spool is formed of metal andhas a Vertical bore therethrough of a substantial. diameter. The bore ofsaid spool I4 is adapted to receiver the shank portion of a hardenedsteel pin I5. In the exemplication shown said pin is tubular and isformed with an enlarged head portion I6 overlying ad porti o f; theflange It). Said head portion I6, of th pin I carries a depending lug orprotuberance I'I which seats in an aperture 1.8. therefore,` in` theflange Ill, whereby the steel pin I5 is prevented from rotating withinthe bore of the'spool I4. A headedbolt I9 isextended throughthe`tubularpin. I5 and the lower end of saidbolt, carries nuts' 29. Itwill. thus be seen that. the; hard;- ened steel pin I5 provides, themain connection as betweenthe adjacent inner end portionsjpf thesteering pole 8 and the reach I2. Theg-pin I5`is'.maintained.stationary` so that the spoolfl, integral with` the.closedend v portionof the 11661.- ing pole, carried strap- 9., turns,or pivotsori the pin" i5., Said pin, 'being of, hardened steel,effectively takes the wear.

The inner end; of. thesteering pole '8, is `provided with. anlencircling strap 2L .Said strap is also exteriorily of thet..'o,uter4faces of the, vside armsof the embracingyoke. The inner-end offthesteering poleA ispivotally attachedrtolthe side arms` of said yoke 9.`Thisis. accomplished bymeanscf a horizontal bolt 22,. The majornpor.-tion oi the shank of said,` bolt extends; through .a sleeve portiorr inthe` in nerl end ofthe pdl@ 8. Thafheadf tiIQbOIU-has Waldes-liberatoQrrfarmed integral therewith an eccentrcally shaped; plate `2th whichcarries-an inwardlyfprojecting pin; or stud seating in arelcess inthepyoke Silwherer :bytheboltiz isrestrained from rrotating. Thisanchorage of the-bolt `o1g1whichthe. par-tsvturn leliminates wearv` -onthe, metal, sur-fades.4 and members engaged by the bolt.

It willwbe observed that the` vehicle ton-which the` impro-verlSteering; gear. is... applied. includes a rigidi-front axle.2 -toftheopposite extremities of-which are pivotally'. attached. wheel Carryingstub. axles,- 2;?.-y .Tha irriprovedsteeringl gear is Iadapted to,effect; simultaneous and; lu iform movement of the wheel carryingstubfaxles 2J which are, equipped with they usual i steering knuckles.253V The latter carry short steering arms 29,',to-theo11ter end sfofwhich are -pivotally and adjustably: connected angularly directedsteering rodsg. The `outer end ,of each steering rod 3 6 has adjustablymountedvr thereon. the Closed end partionof, aclevi 3L Sadlevies, attheir open .erids,` are .sufficiently wide..l to` .embracethelband'ZIand the pairof clelviceseSI have, the 4otiterv-endsot their respectivearms, in overlapping relationship'both on the upper and lowersides ofU-the band.` 2|. The manner in Whirl; the; overlapped. ends. Oi theCleViCeSle ,piv t ily associatedwith the band 2 I land-hence 8. is bestshowntin `the bushings 33 which are integral with the innermost arms ofthe clevices 3I and which extend into openings therefor in theoverlapping arms of the clevices. Pivot pins 34 are extended through theopenings in the bosses 32, said pivot pins having headed extremities andhaving the other extremities threaded and carrying nuts 35. The pivotpins SII, vbesides serving their main function of permitting the joinedparts to pivot thereon,l connect the ends. of the clevices to the band2l.

By the provision of U-shaped clevices at the .ends of the steerng rods30, pivotal connections are made with the steering pole both adjacentL-thelv upper; andvv lower surfaces thereof, dividing thev strainsY andstresses, minimizing wear, and providing additional and substantialbearing surgfar-ces. The; clevices 3I are preferably formed of springsteel to give resiliency and additional strength.

InterrnetdiateV side portions of .the yoke, 9v, -beyond the. extremityof. thesteering, pole 8', are vconnected by a transverse horizontalbolt, 3B; This bolt normally f unCtions to preventspreadl.- ing`A ofthe,Y opposite sides. xof. `the, yoke. 9L when strain is. imposed.thereonjdue tol movements, of the steeringpole,horizoritally. There, isalso auvertically, .disposed bo1t.3.'I connecting, thefree ends of theflanged portions I0 and -IIl-of. .the reach, I2... The; vertical bolt 31.. isv pQSitioned so that itu/ill, beengaged .by the, sidefpontons ofthe projeotin end, of' .the yoke. SiY and. thereby forma stopttoll'uni't. turning movements of. .the steering pole; 3 in. eitherdirection horizontally. At, such-timesasthe bolt 3.1. .acts as, a stop,lin contactingwiththe sides oi,.ti1e yokegthereds ,of course; an,.outward [force impesod.against that Prl'fn. Ofthey.oke, whichr contactswith the bolt-.3.1. Duringftheseperiods the horizontal bolt ,35i.becomeseiective to, prevent. outward. bowing of -the-yoleand to`vrelies/e. strain. thereon.

inasmuch asthef forward .endof .the reach I2 is of recessediorrnation,.byvirtueof thespace between; the; anges. il), and.. II, and the vinset`UJ-.xriemlaer t3,` it .will i be. evident. that .if -no .prof Visionswere made.- to. guard tbeaeansts. dur,- `irigfup,,and dow-n.pivotaimovementsf of lthe steer.- ing; pole 8, strains. in .ai.verticaldirection. would beg-imposed yagainst-the'horizontal flanges.Il), and II of the reach, which mighttend to .spreadthe Same-f Thelvertialfholt-f 31 guards. against this coatingeny- The` improvedsteering, gear provides. for. a Jfria-.Ssii/eA structure erltiroline:.the end-,portion Lof the; steeringl pole,v adj aeent. its. connection.with :the: vehicle and: th-SA- distributes strains and stresses.-lUrshanedifclerices 3;I :rin'qtbei-r .endscverlappina relationshipzadd:torthe-f Strength andirigiditv ofsthe:assemblyffandeminimize tor:sional f strains-and V4:lost i, :notion relative; :to;. the steeringiarms during '.sidewiseimovements :of the steering. polea A11- for thepoints at.` which pivotal: connections .aIe.-. effected `iin :the`steerinsb;Illel'illflsDI! afro' r9.- inf'orcedan'dveryiadequate hardland .weareproof bearing .surfaces .arer provided.: .Parts` ofilthe'structure-@whichmiglht ordinarily lne-subjected to bowing and deectionare suitably reinforced. v13nd to g the" rigidity -o-f thel`mechanisnrand the 'elimination lof play and lost motion, thejtrailer,'VhiQle. Willjbe towe'diin ja verystaple. condi: tion .di.Wliinnins,,andisidesway .aspetti/reen tire.t0-Wed @tritt-tbe.. towing.Vanities- The irnpraveil Steering. gear, ,Af1.1,rtlierinpreg.- of

simple and novel construction' and. iswell adapted for the purposessetforth. t

`What is claimed as the invention is: L

1. A steering gear, comprising a vehicle, chassis including a central`reach, wheel carrying axle members pivotally associated with forwardportions of the chassis, a steering pole pivotally connected at one'endto aforward end portion of the reach, a pair of angularly relatedsteering rods pivotally associated at opposite ends with `said axlemembers, a U-shaped member mounted on the other `end of each rod, thefree end portions of the arms of each U-member extending over oppositefaces of the steering pole, and pivot pins joining the respective armsof a U-member with those of the other U-member in overlappingrelationship and connecting the same directly to opposed top and bottomportions ofthe steering pole tohold the steering poler'igidly againsttorsional movements.

2. A steering gear, comprising a vehicle chassis including a centralreach, wheel carrying axle' members pivotally associated. with forwardyportions `of the chassis, a steering pole having an articulated innerend section, means pivotally connecting the extremity thereof totheforward end portion of the reach, a band surrounding the articulated endportion of the steering pole, a pair of angularly related steering` rodspivotally associated at opposite ends with said axle members, a U-shapedmember having its closed end mounted on the other end of each rod, thefree end portions of the arms ofeach U-member extending over opposite`faces of said band, and pivot pins joining the respective arms of aU-member with those of the other U-member in overlapping relationshipand connecting the same to face portions oi the band.

3. A steering gear, comprising a vehicle chassis including a centralreach, wheel carrying axle members pivotally associated with forwardpor# tions of the chassis, a steering pole having an articulated innerend section, the articulated portions of the steering polebeingrelatively movable in a vertical plane, means pivotally con` necting theextremity of the steering pole to the `forward end portion of the reachfor horizontal turning movements, a band surrounding the articulated endportion of the steering pole, a pair of angularly related steering rodspivotally associated at opposite ends with said axle members, a U-shapedmember having its closed end mounted on the other end of each rod, thefree end portions of the arms of each U-member extending over oppositefaces of said band, andl pivot pins joining the respective arms of a.U-member with those of the other U-member' in overlapping relationshipand connecting the same to face portions of the band.

a. A steering gear, comprisingk a vehicle chassis including a ,centralreach, wheel carrying axlemembers pivotally associated with forwardportions of the chassis, a steering pole having its inner end formedwith Va horizontal hardened bushing, a clevice having its closed endengaging the forward end of the reach and having the side arm portionsembracing sides of the inner end of the steering pole, means pivotallyconnecting the closed end of the clevice to the forward end portion ofthe reach, a band surrounding the inner end portion of the steering poleand the clevice side arms, a pivot pin pass- Cil otally associated atopposite ends with said axle members, a U-shaped member havingits closedend mounted on the other end of leach rod, the

free end portions of the arms of each UV-member extending over oppositefaces of said band, and pivot .pins joining the respective arms vof `aU-member with those of the other U-member in overlapping relationshipand connectinl the same to face portions of the band.Y

5. A steering gear, comprising a vehicle chassi including acentralreach, the forward end portion of the reach having spaced horizontalflanges, wheel carrying axle members pivotally associated with forwardportions of the chassis, a-'steering pole having an articulated innerend section, the articulated portions of the steering pole beingrelatively movable in a verticalplane, the extremity of the articulatedportion of the steering pole extending between the spaced flanges ofthereach, means pivotally connectingsaid extremity of the steering pole tosaid flanges of the reachfor horizontal turning movements, a pair ofangularly related steering rods pivotally associated at opposite endswith said axle'meme bers, the other end portions of the rods extendingover face portions of the steering pole, and pivot members joining saidends of the arms in over,-

lapping relationship and connecting the same .to `the steering pole. I

6. A steering gear, comprising a vehicle chassis` including a centralreach, the forward end portion of the reach having spaced horizontalflanges, wheel carrying axle 4members pivotally associated with forwardportions of the chassis, a steering pole having an articulated inner endsection, the articulated portions of the steering pole being relativelymovable .in a vertical plane, the extremity of the articulated portionof the steering pole extending between the spaced anges of the reach,means pivotally connecting said extremity of the steering pole to saidflanges of the reach for horizontal turning movements, complementarymeans carried by adjacent portions of the steering pole and reach forlimiting relative turning movements of the same, a pair of angularlyrelated steering rods pivotally associated at opposite ends with saidaxle members, the other end portions of Vthe rods extending over faceportions of the steering pole, and pivot members joining said ends ofthe arms in overlapping relationship and connecting the same to thesteering pole.

rI. A steering gear, comprising a vehicle chassis including a centralreach, wheel carrying axle members pivotally associated with forwardpor, tions of the chassis, a steering pole, a clevice hav ing `side armsembracing side portions of the inner end of the steering pole and havingits closed end extending beyond said end of the steering pole, a bushingformed in the closed `end portieriV of the clevice, a vertical pivotmechanism connecting the closed end of the clevice with the adjacent endof the reach and extending through said bushing, a pair of angularlyrelated steering rods pivotally associated at opposite ends withsaidaxle members, the other end portions of the rods extending over faceportions of the steering pole, and pivot members joining said ends ofthe arms in overlapping relationship and connecting the same to thesteering pole.

8; A steering gear, comprising a vehicle chassis including a centralreach, wheel carrying axle members pivotally associated with forwardportions of the chassis, a steering pole,y a clevice having side armsembracing side portions of the inner end 'of the steering pole andhaving itsclosed end extending. beyond said-end of the steering pole, abushing formed in the closed end portion of the clevice, avertical pivotmechanism connecting the closed end of the -clevice'with the Vadjacentendof the reach and extending through said bushing, said pivot mechanismincluding a hardened steel pin and means anchoring the pin toA thereachagainst turning movement, a pair of angularly related steering rodspivotally associated at opposite ends with said axle members, the otherend portions of the rods extending over facev portions of the steeringpole, and pivot members joining said ends of the arms in 'overlappingrelationship and connecting the same to n the steering pole.

, the steering pole, a vertical bushing fast. within the closed end ofthe clevice, means pivotally connecting the closed end of the clevicewithin the flanged portion of the reach, including a pin extendingthrough said bushing and the reach flan-ges and anchored to the latter,a band surrounding the inner end portion of the steering pole and the-clevice side arms, a pivot pinpassing through the sides of the band,the side arms of the clevice, and the s'teeringpo-le bushing, a pair ofangularly related steering rods pivotally associated at opposite endswith said axle members, a U-shaped member having its closedend mountedon the other end of each rod, the free end portions of the arms of eachU-member extending over opposite faces of said band, and pivot pinsjoining the respective arms of a U- member with those of the otherU-member in overlapping relationship and connecting the same to faceportions of the band.

10. A steering gear, comprising a vehiicle chassis including a centralreach, the forward yend portion of the reach having spaced horizontalflanges, wheel carrying axle members pivotally associated with forwardportions of the chassis, a steering pole having its inner end formedwith a horizo-ntal hardened bushing, a clevice having its closed endextending between the spaced flanges of the reach and having its sidearm portions embracing sides of the inner end of the steering pole, avertical bushing fast within the closed end of the clevice, a pivot pinextending through the reach flanges and the last mentioned bushing` andanchored to said flanges, a tie between the outer ends of said flanges,a tie between spaced arm portions of the clevice beyond the steeringpole, said ties preventing spreading of their respective members andcooperating to form stop means to limit horizontal turnngmovementsbetween the steering pole and reach, a band surrounding .the inner endportion of the steering ,pole and the clevioe side arms', a pivot pinpassing through the sides of the band, the side armsof the clevice, andthe steering pole bushing, means for anchoring said pivot pin againstturning, a pair of angularly related steering rods operativelyassociated at their outer ends with saidx axle members, a U-shapedmember having'its closed end mounted von the other end of "each rod,"theyfree end portions of the arms of each U -member extending over oppositefaces of saidband, and pivotv pins `joining the respective arms :of a`U-member with those of the other U- memberA in overlapping relationshipand yconnecting the same to face portions of the band.

`11. A steering gear, comprising a vehicle chassis including a centralreach, Vwheel carrying axle members pivotally associated with forwardportions of the chassis, a steering pole having its inner end formedwith a horizontal hardened bushing. a clevicey having its closed endengaging the forward end of the reach `and having the side arm portionsembracing sides of the inner en'd of the steering pole, means pivotallyconnecting'the closed end of the clevice to the forward end portion ofvthe reach, a band surrounding the inner end portion of the steeringpole and the clevice side arms, opposite portions of the upper and lowerfaces o-f the band having outwardly extending bored boss portions, apivot pin passingv through the sides of the band, the side'arms of theclevice, and the steering pole bushing, a'pair of angularly relatedsteering rods pivotally associated at opposite `ends with said axlemembers, a U-shaped member having its closed end mounted on the otherend of each rod, the free end portions of the arms of each U- memberextending over top and bottom faces of said bandgwith the arms of oneU-member overlapping -the arms of the other U-member, said overlappingarm portions being provided with bores, rthe overlapped portions of thearms of the other Umember having outwardly directed bored bossesextending through the bores in said over lapping arms and receiving theboss portions on said band, and` pivot pins extending through the boresof said band bosses.

l2. A steering gear comprising a vehicle chassis including a centralreach, wheel carrying axle members pivotallyfassociated with forwardportions ofthe chassis, a steering pole having its inner end formed witha horizontal hardened bushing, aclevice having its closed end engagingthe forward end of the reach and having the-side arm portions embracingsides of the inner end of the steering pole, means pivotally connectingthe closed end of the clevice to thel forward end portion of the reach,a pivot pin connecting the side arms of the clevice to the steeringpole, a pair of angularly related steering rods pivotally associated atopposite ends with said axle members, and means pivotally connecting theother end portions of the steering rods with the inner end portion.ofthe. steering. pole.V i THOMAS A. BO'WEL

